Gluten-free and SCD

A while back WordPress.com rolled out an option for commenting that required logging into WordPress.com, which requires having a registered username. It was unannounced and most bloggers remained unaware of this possible dilemma (I call it a possible dilemma because not every blog on WP.com had that option toggled) unless they checked the WP.com forums – the way I first found out about it, in this lengthy thread, plus conversation on Twitter – or somehow their readers communicated this to them, if possible. As it may be expected, this change has had mixed reactions from WP.com bloggers.

I have talked about this at least a couple of times on my Twitter and thought it would be a good idea to post about it here in case you’ve missed it, and or have been experiencing this issue with leaving comments as well. I understand that not all of my readers may be on social media such as Twitter or Facebook.

The good news is, I have never had this option enabled that you must be registered and logged in to leave a comment. You are required to fill in your name and email (which is never used by me) to leave a comment, unless you login using Twitter or Facebook, but that is all. If you should ever see a message that requires you to login to leave a comment, it is probably a glitch, in which case try to reload the page, or you tried using an email address associated with a WordPress.com or Gravatar account in which case you will be prompted to login. (See this forum post.) Note: please copy and paste your comment before clicking submit in case it gets wiped from the comment field! If the problem persists, please contact me and I’ll try to get it sorted out as best I can that is within my power.

Extra note to any of my readers who are also WordPress.com bloggers — the setting that makes your readers have to login to leave a comment is the one circled in red (“Users must be registered and logged in to comment”) in the screenshot below. It’s accessed from your Dashboard > Settings > Discussion.

In most instances, it is recommended that this option setting isn’t checked (enabled) as most people do not want to login or make a username in order to just leave a comment on a post. It will drive your readers away. (I have a similar issue with blogs that use Disqus for comments.)

(This may or may not have affected those blogging with WordPress.org. Please check your discussion settings under your blog’s dashboard to make sure.)

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4 thoughts on “Issue with Leaving Comments?”

Okay, this is a test comment because I have definitely had to log in via some method to leave comments here of late, Zoe. If I try to do the name and email route, I get asked for a WordPress login. :-( So lately, for all the blogs that this happens on, I just use Twitter. I don’t like that option because once you click on the Twitter log in, you cannot check the Notify me of follow-up comments box. Just FYI. So I’ve not been a happy camper at most WordPress blogs lately, even though I have a WordPress blog, but mine is self hosted. And it just happened again, so I’m logging in via Twitter. Can email you screen shots if you like, dear.

Hi Shirley, what a bummer! I wasn’t aware of that about the Twitter login, thanks for mentioning that. Screenshots would be great for reporting it to WordPress.com staff – this comments issue has already been addressed in the forums more than once, but if more people send in complaints the comment system might be improved or even returned to how it was before. (In my experience of using WordPress.com, the support and staff are really good.) Email your screenshots to me at contact@zscupoftea.com, since I don’t think attachments can be included in the contact form at this time.

I was glad when you posted this because it was making me freaking nuts! It took over five tries to comment on two of your other posts and the same thing on a few other blogs I follow. Then my comments would be deleted or it would tell me my password was wrong and I thought it was my dinosaur of a laptop that was the issue. Now that I know, I stayed signed in while I am reading all the posts and it is easier. Thanks, Z!